Differential oil-cup



(No Model.)

J. H. WILKINSON.

DIFFERENTIAL OIL OUP.

No. 315,101. .Patented Apr. 7, 1885.

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' UNITED STATESV PATENTV OFFICE.

JOSEPH IHANDFORTH VILKlNSON,-- OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

DIFFERENTIAL Ol L-CUP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 315,101, dated April 7, 1885.

Application filed January 22, 18%5. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HANDEon'rH WILKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Differential Oil-Cups; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters orfigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to oil-cups and means whereby more exact and precise flow of lubricant, as desired, may be secured to the bearing or object to be oiled; and it consists in constructing the spindle or valve-stem, which is usually of small diameter, in one piece with an adjustable circular cap of very much larger diameter.

It also consists in certain additional features of construction and combination hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

The drawings accompanying this specification represent, in Figure l, aside elevation, and n Fig. 2, a central vertical section, of an oilcup embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relative movements of the cap with respect to the valve.

In these drawings, A represents an oil-cup of the class designated"open feed,77 and of a shape such as now generally in use. This cup is composed of a bulb or reservoir, B, for containing the lubricant, and to be made of glass or metalas is desired. Centrally thereof is located a hollow column or post, C, open at the top and interiorly screw-threaded, as shown at a, Vwhile its lower extremity is provided with an axial duct, b, which connects with the interior of said post andV leads from the latter into the bore c of the supports D. By means of the latter the cup as an entirety is secured in its proper position. Upon the lower extremity of the post C is formed a flange, s, and in connection with a suitable gasket or packing-ring and the screw-threads formed upon the lower end of said post and the upper( portion of the support D all these parts are securely made together. Communication between the oil-reservoir and the bore of the post is effected through the radialholes d d, Src., and thence by the ductb to thebearing. posed a valverod, E, which is seated upon and serves to close the duct b leading to the bearing or object to be lubricated. This rod is provided at its upper extremity with a head, F, exteriorly screw-threaded, and engages with a similar thread, c, formed within the bore of the open end of the post C. Thus there is no escape for the lubricant out of the cup B except by way of the holes d d, Src.

To effect movement of the valve-rod E in order to raise or lower it with respect to the duct b, and thereby regulate the supply of oil from the cup, I have so disposed the cap G, which surmounts and closes the oil-reservoir to the atmosphere, that it shall be capable of free rotary movement about a short neck or contracted upper part of the rim or edge of said. oil-cup. This cap G, I have secured rmly to the head F of the valve-rod, or it may be cast integral with it, and any movement or partial rotation of said cap, it willbe readily understood, is directly transferred to and effects a similar, but proportionately very much smaller, movement of the screw-head F, and thus raises or depresses the said valve or Within the bore of the post O is disvalve-rod E to respectivelyincrease or dimiir ish the supply of lubricant.

From the relation of parts it will be understood that the cap G, since it is secured to the screw-head F, is supported thereby, and I intend that a small space shall always exist between the overlapping rim of the cap and the shoulder formed upon the oil-reservoir B. Thus opportunity is afforded to turn down the screw-head F to compensate for wear which mayensue upon the valve and valve-seat, and thus allow of complete closing of the oil-supply whenneeded.

I have found in the manufacture and making up of this oil-cup that inaccuracies exist in the formation of the oil-reservoir at the bottoni, owing .to varying thickness in thevmaterial composing the same, especially when made of glass, and thus when the post O is screwed to its support D said post is not vertical, but angularly disposed, and the cap G works eccentrically and with difficulty. To

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obviate this objection, I insert a circular perforate plate or spider, S, which rests in the upper part of the cup or oil-reservoir B, and is provided with a central bore which incloses the top of the post C, and thus forces the latter into a vertical central position. By this means the spider takes all the strain resulting from the tendency of the post to depart from the vertical, and so permits the cap and its valve-rod to move freely when desired.

Hitherto it has been usual in apparatus of this class to extend the valve-stem up and through the cap, which is firmly Xed to the oilreservoir, and furthermore, this stem is screw-threaded and provided with an adjustable nut, the turning of which effects an increased or diminished supply of oil; but in this form there is no material difference between the radius of the valve-stem and that of the inclosing-nut, and hence it is very difficult to adjust the supply with any nicety. Varying from one extreme perhaps to the other upon readj ustment thereof to correct said supply.

To enable the attenda-nt to easily and rapidly iill the reservoir without disturbing the various operative parts forming this oil-cup, I have centrally bored the cap G, as shown at c, and at its bottom provided radial holes f f, which lead into the oil-reservoir B. To close this opening e, and preclude the possibility of dirt or grit from entering said cup, I dispose a plug, H, slightly tapering, to lit said bore e. Thus, in order to fill said reservoir, this plug 1s removed, and the lubricant, when supplied thereto, is free to pass directly into the chamber B, and upon a sufficient quantity being introduced the supply is stopped and the plug reinserted, ready for a repetition of said op eration.

To more readily determine the position of the valve stem or rod E at a glance, I have had pressed into the glass or formed upon a metal band, which may be secured to the cup B, a graduated scale, J, the units of which are designated by the numerals l 2 3, 85e., and these units may be subdivided more or less, as is preferred. This scale is fixed or nonmovab1e while a zero-point, g, is marked upon the eX- terior of the cap and movable therewith. This zero-point is to coincide with the fixed zeropoint upon the scale when the valve-rod is closed upon the orifice b, or whenever the supply of oil is entirely cut off.

To prevent any change or alteration in the position of the valve-stem or valve by movement of the cap G, owing to jars or vibrations incident to its position, and thus effect the ow of oil perhaps to reduce the supply and produce a heated bearing, I have introduced a spring, h, which exerts its force against the screw-head F and prevents any tendency of the latter to turn. Moreover, I cause said head to fit very snugly in the post C, and thus render any change in position of the cap G almost an absolute impossibility in case the spring is not employed.

The operation of the device is very simple, and it will be readily perceived that any movement of the cap G to alter the supply is attended by a proportionately smaller movement of the screw-head and its valve-rod. This is more fully shown in the diagram, (see Fig. 3,) in which the large arc of' a circle represents the circumference of the oil-reservoir B, while the smaller one shows that of the screw-head. A movement of the cap G from 1 to 2 occasions but a very slight throw of the screw-head, and consequently the valve is altered but a trifle or not, as is desired, and any desired iiow oi lubricant from the oilcup to the bearing is very easily and readily obtained.

Another advantage in the use of the scale will readily be perceived, since for a certain speed of shaft the attendant will easily remember that the movable zero-point upon the cap G requires to stand at 3 or 4. upon the graduated scale. He thus moves the cap to the desired figure or spot, and is then coniident that the bearing will receive the requisite sup-l ply of oil wit-hout further preliminary trial, as is now usual in the arrangement of the present style of oil-cup, in which the position of the valve can only be determined by the iiow of lubricant by experiment.

I claiml. The combination, with the oil-reservoir B and the hollow post C, containing the ducts b d d, of the valve-rod E, screw-threaded at F, and the cap G, to which said rod is attached, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the oil-reservoir B, hollow post C, containing the ducts b d d, of the valve-rod E, screw-threaded at F, securely affixed to the cap G and the graduated scale, whereby the relative position of the valve is shown and the flow of the lubricant regulated, .substantially as shown and described.

3. In an oil-cup, acap surmounting the same and cast integral with the valve-rod, whereby the valve is actuated, said cap having a tubular portion above said rod for the reception of oil, and said tubular portion being provided with apertures for the passage of the oil to the oil-cup, substantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof IaffiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH HANDFORTH WILKINSON.

Witnesses:

H. E. LODGE, A. F. HAYDEN.

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